Can This Airbnb Deny My Service Animal?

I was looking around for an Airbnb and found what I thought would be the perfect one for me. It’s a large owner-occupied house, with a private room and access to the public areas. I travel with a service animal, and the owner noted that no animals are allowed in her Airbnb. I understand a “no pets” policy, but aren’t service animals covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Can this Airbnb deny my service animal under the law?

Airbnbs and Service Animals

Airbnbs are becoming more and more popular, and as such they are also becoming a doable choice for people with disabilities. With the aging of society in general, many Airbnbs have made access improvements, so now more slow walkers and wheelchair-users can also enjoy them. But you bring up a valid point about service animals. Are Airbnbs required to accept service animals under the ADA?

Title III of the ADA (www.ada.gov/resources/title-iii-manual/) covers public accommodations like places of lodging, restaurants, stores and public spaces. And these public accommodations are required to accept service animal (dogs). This includes Airbnbs and other overnight rentals; however the rules are slightly different for owner-occupied units. Under the law, owner-occupied homes that rent fewer than six rooms are exempt from the ADA, so those properties can exclude service animals.

So yes, if this property offers fewer than six rental rooms, it can legally forbid you to bring your service animal.

That said, some private rentals allow animals – all animals. So I would search around for those properties that welcome animals, so you won’t run into any problems with your service animal.